Photography is a moneymaking art form that has been around for over a century. If you intend on being a photographer you’re officially in competition with countless skilled professionals, some of whom are using thousands of dollars in equipment. With that being said, you can still make money, and make a name for yourself by understanding the basics. Sadly, many myths about photography persist to this day, muddying the issue.

Let’s take a look at some of the most common myths about photography, and put them to bed once and for all.

Photography is Easy

Since everyone has a high-quality camera on their smartphone these days, the idea has risen that taking pictures is easy. It is, of course, easy to take out your phone, point it at a subject, and take a picture like finding out Visa slots these days. But taking a compelling, attention-grabbing photo is enormously difficult. It’s so difficult that numerous professionals have been trying to master the art for decades.

If you want to be a professional photographer, be ready to put in years of study, years of practical application. And even then, you may still be left wondering what you’re doing wrong. Photography isn’t just a difficult discipline, it also requires an artistic eye that some just don’t have.

Good Lighting is Essential

Given how much some photographers obsess over lighting, you’d think that having just the right lighting conditions is essential. While in some cases it is true that specific lighting is necessary, in reality just about any source of light will do. Yes, you can take incredible photographs with a single dim bulb in a pitch-black room. All it takes is creativity, an understanding of what works, and the ambition to go beyond the norm.

Think about this the next time you’re struggling with massive, blinding lights and a half dozen reflectors. To put it another way; it’s not how much light you have, it’s how you use it.

The Rule Of Thirds

Any photographer is familiar with the rule of thirds, but it turns out this isn’t so much a rule as a guideline. Next time, do a quick search for award-winning photographs and be prepared for a shock. Yes, many award-winning photos ignore the rule of third entirely. You’ll find that most do. What gives?

The rule of thirds is a good idea for most instances where people take photos, such as at social gatherings. But real, cutting-edge photography is about much more than just following the rules. If someone insists that you always follow the rules, look elsewhere for tips on being a good photographer.

Don’t Manipulate Your Photos Digitally

Last, and perhaps most controversially, let’s talk about the modern idea that digital touch-ups are taboo. Of course, pro photographers don’t need to rely on digital trickery to take great photos, right?

While trying to fix a bad photo digitally would indeed be a bad idea, probably making things much worse, don’t be afraid to touch up a photo to get it perfect. Most won’t even know digital alterations have been done, assuming you’re subtle about your tweaking.